Welding apparatus



May 5, 1942. J. 'r. CATLETT WELDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 27, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor":

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y 1942- J. T. CATLETT I WELDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 2'7, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor: JamesT. Cablett b ji wflww y Hls Attorney.

May 5, 1942.- J. -r. CATLETT WELDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 27. 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 .l tt,

y 1942- J. T. CATLETT WELDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 2'7, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Inventor-'1 v I James F Cat eto,

His Attorney.

ing torch embodying my sectional view of the at... May 5, 1942 James '1. Oatlett. Scotia,

eral Electric Company,

York

udmr to Gena corporation of New Application January :1, no, serial No. 315,995

11 Claims.

My invention relates to welding apparatus and more particularly to a gas-arc welding torch of improved construction.

It is an object of myinvention to provide a gas-arc welding torch in which a plurality of identical means provided for holding and feeding electrodes are interchangeably supported in a row along a line of welding in any one of a plurality of spaced positions greater in number than the number of said electrode holding and feeding means.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a gas-arc welding torch in which a plurality of identicalmechanisms each of which alone or in side-by-side relationship is capable of operating, through independent transmissions, a group of said electrode holding and feeding means located in consecutive positions in a row in their supporting means.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a gas-arc welding torch in which means are provided for interchangeably supporting said mechanisms in any one of a plurality of positions spaced to match the spacing of said electrode holding and feeding means in their said supporting means.

Another object of my invention is to provide a gas-arc welding torch proved construction.

Further objects of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description of a mu1ti-arc atomic hydrogen weldinvention.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a side view and Fig. 2 is an end view of a multi-arc atomic hydrogen welding torch embodying my invention; Fig. 3 is-a sectional view along lines li -3 of Fig. 1 illustrating some of the structural details of the torch shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view with parts broken away illustrating the construction of the nozzle forming a part of the torch of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal nozzle along lines 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 4-; Fig. '7 is a side view with portions broken away illustrating the operating mechanisms for the electrode holding and feeding means; Fig. 8 is a sectional .view along lines 8-8 of Fig. '1 illustrating the construction thereof; Fig. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the differential planetary gear reduction of each gear motor forming a part of the operating mechanism illustrated in Fig. '7; .and Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the cooling system forming a part of the torch.

having a nozzle of im- The atomic hydrogen torch illustrated in the drawings is a ten-arc torch in which eighteen arc locations are provided so that the ten area may be arranged at varying intervals to vary the heat distribution along theline of welding.

As best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, each electrode ll of the torch is mounted in identical electrode holders ll identical electrode feeding means II. The electrode holding and feeding means "-12 for each electrode HI are interchangeably supported in two rows in a plurality of positions with an electrode holding and feeding means in one row being inclined to and paired with another electrode holding and feeding means in the other row so that pairs of electrodes in corresponding pairs of electrode holding and feeding means converge into arcing relationship with one another. Each electrode holding and feeding means of a pair, and the electrodes supported thereby, are arranged in different planes each of which is perpendicular to the line of welding but displaced from the other a sufficient distance to stabilize the arc and cause it to lie in a plane approximately coinciding with the line of welding as disclosed and claimed in my United States Letters Patent No. 1,946,305, granted February 8, 1934', for Welding apparatus. holding and feeding means located in consecutive positions are so closely spaced that the arcs established between their electrodes constitute a substantially uniform elongated heat source. In the particular torch the spacing is one and one-half inches.

Each row of electrode holding and feeding means is supported on one arm of a hollow fluid cooled electrode drive bracket I3 and a plurality of identical driving mechanisms ll for these electrode holding and feeding means are supported on the other arm of this electrode drive bracket. The projecting ends of the arm of the electrode drive bracket IS on which the driving mechanisms I are located extend beyond and are bolted to end plates l5 and I. forming part of the torch frame. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, these end plates have a kite-like configuration and are joined together at their inside surfaces at their lower portions by two angles l1 and at the upper portions by two channels I! through the agency of end plates I! and 20. These plates are welded to the ends of said angles and channels and bolted to the end plates.

The end plate I! is provided with ribs 2| (Fig. 1), one edge of each ofwhich is welded thereto and the opposite edge of each of which is welded which are provided with The pairs of electrode,

' in the terminal block.

-64 and a bevel gear 66 to a ring 22 which is held in a ring clamp 29 mounted on a support 24 for the welding torch. Under certain circumstances the size and weight of the torch may be sumcient to render a second support therefor necessary and, as shown in Fig. 1, the end plate I. is also provided with ribs 26 welded thereto and to a plate 26 to which a secondary support 21 is attached. This secondary support may be a pipe supported in a bearing coaxial with the clamping ring 26 so that the torch as a whole may be turned about its longitudinal axis. The support for the torch may also provide longitudinal, vertical and tilting ad- Justments so that the torch may be located in a desired position relative to the work being welded.

The electrodes l9 extend through a nozzle 26 bolted to the lower end of the torch frame. This nozzle directs hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing mixture across the arcing terminals of the electrodes supported therein.

The construction of each of the identical electrode holders is best illustrated in Fig. 3. The electrode III is positioned within the electrode holder from which it extends through a terminal block 29. The electrode also extends through a member 30 located in the terminal block and movable relative thereto through the agency of a nut, bolt and washer ii to clamp the electrode The upper portion of the terminal block 29 is secured by bolts 32 to the lower portion of an insulated bushing 39. This bushing is provided with a longitudinally extending tubular portion 24 surrounded by a tube of insulation 95 on'which a grooved ring 96 is supported between insulating washers 31 and 99 by turning over the upper end of the tubular portion onto a washer 39 which is placed on top of the insulating washer 91. In this way the ring portion 96 of the bushing is electrically insulated from the body portion of the bushing which is attached to the terminal block 29. The bushing 32 is held in a bushing socket 49 by bolts 4| which pass through the grooved portion of ring 96 forming a part thereof. The bushing-socket 46 is attached to the lower end of a metallic tube 42 which is located within a metallic tube 48 and insulated therefrom by a tube of insulating material 44. This tube of insulating material extends through an insulating washer 46 located at the lower end of tube 43 and an insulating washer 46 and ametallic washer 41 located at the upper end of tube 42, the socket 49, washers 45. 46 and 41 and tubes 42, 43 and 44 being held in assembled relation by spinning over the upper end of the tube 42 onto the metallic washer 41.

The insulating washers 46 and 49 and the tube of insulating material 44 electrically insulate the inner tube 42 from the outer tube 44 which is slidably supported in bearings located at the outer edge portions of flanges 46 and 49 forming part of the electrode feed bracket IS. The electrode "I, it will be noted, extends through the bushing 92 and through the tube 42, both of which are of sufficient size to accommodate it.

The construction of each of the identical electrode feeding units is also illustratedin Fig. 3. It is a unit assembly comprising a threaded shaft 69 havinga bearing 6| by a nut 52 and a bearing 96 secured against a shouldered portion at its upper end by a collar held in place on the shaft by a nut 96. The assembly is located in registering bearing sockets in flanges 49 and 49 of the electrode drive bracket immediately in back of secured on its lower end.

the bearings for the. electrode holder. The..

upper socket is shouldered and bearing 69 is held therein by a plate 61 which is attached by screws to the flange 49 so that the unit is held in place on the electrode drive bracket l9 against end thrust. The threaded portion of the shaft 49 passes through an opening in one end of an arm 56, the other end of which is provided with a clamp which engages the electrode holder intermediate its ends and is positioned thereon between shoulders formed by a portion of reduced cross-section in the outside tube 43 of'the electrode holder. The ,arm 68 is provided with a hand pull 59 on which is mounted a half nut 69 whose threaded portion is normally biased into engagem nt with the threaded portion of the shaft 60 through the agency of a spring 6i. By withdrawing the hand pull 59 and disengaging the nut 60 from the threaded portion of the shaft 59, the electrode holder ii may be positioned relative to the electrode feeding mechanism I2. Rotation of the shaft 99 causes the nut 69 in the arm 58 to feed the electrode holder II and the electrode 10 supported therein to and from the work to strike and maintain an arc between corresponding pairs of electrodes. After an electrode holder II has been fed downwardly'a predetermined amount, the inner end of thearm 68 engages a trip bar 62 which is connected through a linkage 63 (Fig. 2) to a switch 64. It will be noted that the trip bar 62 may be actuated by any one of the electrode holding and feeding means in the same row. The operation of this switch arrests the feeding action of all the electrodes. and the operator, by withdrawing the hand pull 59, can move any desired electrode holder and arm 58 upwardly along the threaded portion of the shaft 59 and withdraw the electrode I 0 from the holder an amount suflicient to bring the arcing terminal of the electrode holder into arcing relationship with its corresponding electrode for another feeding operation.

The flanges 46 and 49 of the electrode drive bracket extend along the upper and lower edges of the downwardly and inwardly inclined arm of each electrode drive bracket it. These brackets provide a plurality of equally spaced support positions for the electrode holding and feeding means ii and I2. As shown in Fig. 1, the outer edges of the flanges 49 and 49 are provided with equally spaced semi-cylindrical openings within by referring to Fig. 3 that by removing the bearing 5i from the end of may be inserted through the openings 81 (Fig. l) in the upper flange 49. 'By replacing bearing ii on the end of the shaft 50, the electrode feed unit may then be positioned with its bearings 52 and 53 inregistering sockets 61 in flanges 48 and 49 the shaft 50, this shaft .and held in place in these openings by plate 61.

The electrode holding operated by a plurality mechanisms l4, each of by-side relationship is and feeding means are capable of operating of identical operating. which alone or in sidethe gears 86 and. 88 form, a part.

through three independent transmissions three electro' e holding and feeding means located in consec tive positions in their supporting means. The construction of these operating mechanisms is best illustrated in Figs. '1, 8, and 9. They comprise a gear box which includes independent transmissions for operating bevel gears 69 which are equally spaced from one another in accordance with the equal spacing provided by the bearings 66 and bearing sockets 01 in the flanges 43 and 40 of the electrode drive bracket I3. 0n the bottom at the middle of each gear box, there is a plurality of longitudinal projections constituting a key which is adapted to engage keyways II in the upwardly and inwardly inclined arm of each electrode drive bracket I3. These keyways are spaced from one another the same distances that the bearing sockets 61 for the electrode feeding units are spaced in the flanges and 49 of the electrode drive bracket and are 'so located that gears 69 projecting through the end wall of the gear box will mesh with gears 66 of electrode feed units located in consecutive positions adjacent thereto. Depending on the spacing of the electrode holding and feeding means, the gear boxes 68 are positioned on the upwardly and inwardly extending arm of the electrode drive bracket I3 and held in place thereon by bolts I2 (Fig. l) which act through washers I3 or strips I4 to engage the upper edges of the gear boxes. It will be noted that the sides of the gear boxes are recessed to accommodate the passage therebetween of the bolts I2. A support I5 is provided at one end of "the electrode drive bracket for supporting the ends of strips I4 for the end gear box. The switch 64 referred to above is mounted on this support.

Referring again to Figs. '7, B, and 9 and the construction of the drive mechanisms l4 there disclosed, it will be noted that each of the gears 69 is connected to drive shafts 16 through shafts I1 and gears I8 and I9. Lubricating oil is supplied from a well in an end wall ofthe gear box 68 to the bearings for shafts I1 and to the side portions of two of the gears I8 and 19 through pipes 80 containing wicks. This insures adequate lubrication of the transmissions in the gear box. Each drive shaft I6 is supported in bearings BI and BI spaced from one another by a collar 82 and clamped in a recess in a frame 83 by a plate 84 attached thereto by screws 85. The inner end of each drive shaft I6 has a ring gear 86 attached thereto by a pin 81. This ring gear is rotated by a gear 88 mounted on the shaft 89 of a motor 90 through a differential planetary gearing of which The gear 88 meshes with each of three equally spaced gears 9| supported on shafts 92 located in a cage 93 formed by two end members which are mounted for rotation on the motor shaft 09 and the end of drive shaft I6. The end members of the cage are tied together by rivets 94. Gears 9| mesh with a ring gear 95 pinned to the end frame 96 of the motor 90 and held in a recess therein by the bolting of frame 96 to frame 83. Each of these gears 9| drives a gear 91 which is mounted on the 'same shaft 92 and meshes with ring gear 06. By employing such a differential planetary gear, a speed reduction of the magnitude of 1 is obtained. The motor shell 90 is held between end frames 96 and 99 by bolts I00. The bolted assembly of frames 83, 96, 98 and 99 constitutes a gear motor drive which maybe removed as a unit from the gear box 80 by removing bolts IOI so that when one of the gears 69 is not employed for driving one of the feeding mechanism; the gear motor drive may be removed and a cover plate substituted therefor to-cover the opening in the top of the gear box. It is, of course, only necessary to mount a gear motor drfie on the box for those gears 09 which mesh with gears 66 of an electrode feeding means.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6. the nozzle 20 comprises an elongated support member I02 of substantially T cross-section having longitudinally spaced pairs of transverse electrode passageways I03 in its flange portion and upper and lower longitudinal passageways I04 for coolin fluid in its bar portion. The electrode passageways I03 arelocated in rowsin the flange portion of this support member with corresponding electrode passageways of each pair being arranged on opposite sides of its bar portion, as shown in Fig. 4. The passageways of each pair of electrodes are offset a slight amount from each other lengthwise of the support member to accommodate the slightly offset positions of each pair of electrode holding and feeding means and the electrodes supported thereby. Two angular blocks I05 of substantially the same length as the support member I02 and having one side conforming in configuration and adapted to engage the angular surface between the bar and flange portions of the support member are secured thereto by bolts I06 which pass through the flange portion of the support member intermediate the cooling passageways I04 thereof. One leg of each of the angular blocks is provided with transverse electrode passageways I01 extending therethrough which match respectively with the electrode passageways I03 of the support member I02. An insulating electrode bushing I09 is held in each of the transverse passageways I01 by a bolt and washer I09. The other leg of each angular block is provided with a longitudinally extending gas header II 0 from which gas is supplied through passageways III to an offset portion in the electrode passageways I03 of the support member I02. Spattered weld metal entering the discharge opening of electrode passageway I03 cannot strike and foul the discharge opening of passageway III because the offset portion of passageway I03 interposes a baffling surface that effectively shields it therefrom. The flow of gas through each of the passageways ,III is controlled by a valve whose control member H2 is located to one side of electrodes extending through bushings I08 so as to be readily accessible from the side of the nozzle for purposes of adjustment. Gas is supplied to each of the gas headers I I0 through each of the gas pipes H3. A cover plate II4 having pairs of transverse electrode passageways 4' matching with the pairs of electrode passageways in the flange portion of the support member I02 is attached to the bottom of the support member by screws II5. 'This cover plate is provided with a network of passageways I I6 which extend along and between the electrode passageways in the plate. The face of the cover plate which is exposed to the intense heat of the arc and the atomic hydrogen generated thereby is protected by a thin plate of molybdenum I II. A thin plate of tungsten may, however, be substituted for the molybdenum plate. The support member I02, angular blocks I05 and cover plate II4 are unit members formed by brazing together a plurality 4- tivity to insure proper cooling thereof by its con the non-molten edges of the seam below the pool tact with the water cooled bar portion of the have been raised to a forge welding temperasupport member.

The electrode holding and feeding means are protected from the heat of the torch and from the'iiames of burning. gas extending upwardly,

from its nozzle by water-cooled shields Ill, one of which is shown in Fig. '2. These shields are pivotally supported by links Ill from the ends of bars I20 which extend lengthwise of the frame of the gas torch. The shields are also provided with handles III by means of which the operator may swing them up out of position in order to render the interior of the torch accessible for inspection and adjustment. They are held in their down position by the engagement of latches In with pins I23 and intheir up position by the engagement of latches l2: with'pins I24.

The upper portion of the torch is enclosed by two covers I25 which are pivoted on a rod I28 running lengthwise of the torch frame. The corner portions of these covers are cut away as shown in Fig. 2 to facilitate the movement of shields Ill.

The torch's cooling system as a whole is diagrammatically represented in Fig. 10. As shown in this figure, cooling liuid is first supplied to the hollow electrode drive brackets II from which it is discharged and supplied through a pipe I21 to the longitudinally extending passageways Hit in the bar portion of the support member I02 of the nozzle. It is discharged from the upper passageway I through a pipe I28 into the network of passageways ill in the cover plate I from which it is discharged through pipes I" to the sinuous cooling passageways formed of piping mounted on the cover plates 8. 1

Current is supplied to each of the electrodes through its terminal block 2!. As shown in Fig. 3, theseterminal blocks are connected through conductors 130 to busses Ill which are in turn connected through conductors III (Figs. 1 and 3) to the source of supply. The busses Iii are arranged in pairs opposite one another in positions corresponding to the positions in which pairs of electrode holding and feeding means They are held in these posistrips I attached to the may be supported. tions by insulating upper portions of the angles II and channels 8 forming part ofthe torch frame.

Each of the motors ill, as shown in Fig. l, is electrically connected through a cable I, a plug I35 and a connection board I" to panels by means of which the arcing engagement of pairs of electrodes arecontrolled. In Fig. 1 only the cables for the motors shown have been illustrated since illustration of the cables for the motors not shown would be confusing.

As previously pointed out, a torch embodying my invention provides for interchangeably supporting a limited number of pairs of electrode holding and feeding means in any one of a plurality of positions along the line of welding. It is thus possible to adjust the torch for many methods of welding. It is particularly suited for performing the method of seam welding de-' scribed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 315,998, filed concurrently herewith and entitled Method of seam welding. In accordance with this method of welding, heat is progressively applied to a seam as rapidly as ture, and finally at a rate which permits the trailing end of the pool to solidify from the bottom upwardly. While heat is thus being applied to the seem, a side pressure is also applied to the seam. This side pressure progressively closes the seam before the formation of the above referred to pool of molten metal, then completes a forge weld at the bottom of the seam with a suiiicient tie-formation to fill its top portion with molten metal, and finally holds the seam securely during the time necessary for the welded portions to become strong enough to withstand the stresses resulting from the welding operation. In the set-up shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. if the torch is stationary the work travels from right to left and the pairs of electrodes are located in the following positions:

It is. of course. apparent in view of the above description that the grouping of the electrode holding and feeding mechanisms. "-42, the grouping of the driving mechanisms l4, and the locations of the motors OI thereon may be such asto obtain any desired electrode spacing along the line of welding. In view of the above description of the physicalstructure of the torch, the method of making the desired set-up is obvious.

It is apparent that the equal spacing for the electrode holding and feeding means provided in the above described torch is not essential since other spacings may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention which is susceptible of being variously modified true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A welding torch comprising a plurality of identical means for holding and feeding electrodes, means for interchangeably supporting possible until the leading end of an elongated pool of molten metal begins to form, then at a more gradual rate commensurate with the decreased thermal conductivity of the pool until said electrode holding and feeding means along a line of welding in any one of a plurality of spaced positions greater in number than the number of said electrode holding and feeding means. a motor for each of said electrode holding and feeding means, and unitary means comprising a plurality of transmissions for connecting groups of said motors mounted on said unitary means with groups of said electrode holding and feeding means located in adjacent positions in their said supporting means.

2. A welding torch comprising a plurality of identical means for holding and feeding electrodes, means for interchangeably supporting said electrode holding and feeding means along a line of welding in any one of a plurality of equally spaced positions greater in number than the number of said electrode holding and feeding means, a motor for each of said electrode holding and feeding means, unitary means arranged transverse to the line of welding for connecting groups of said motors mounted thereon with groups of said electrode holding and feeding means located in consecutive positions in their said supporting means, and means for supporting said unitary means in a plurality of positions corresponding with the distribution of said electrode I, therefore, aim in the appended claims holding and feeding means along the line of welding;

3. A welding torch comprising a plurality of identical electrode holding and feeding means, means for interchangeably supporting said electrode holding and feeding means in two rows in a plurality of positions greater in number than the number of said electrode holding and feeding means in said rows with an electrode holding and feeding means in one row being inclined to and paired with an electrode holding and feeding means in the other row so that pairs of electrodes in said pairs of electrode holding and feeding means converge into arcing relationship with one another, a motor for each of said electrode holding and feeding means, and a plurality of identical means for grouping said motors in rows transverse to said rows of electrode holding and feeding means, each of said means having driving connections between the motors in any one of said rows and the electrode holding and feeding means that are located immediately adjacent one another and the motors in ,said row.

4. A welding torch comprising a plurality of identical means for holding and feeding electrodes, means for interchangeably supporting said electrode holding and feeding means in a row in any one of a plurality of equally spaced positions along the line of welding, a plurality of identical mechanisms each of which alone or in side-by-side relationship has a plurality of independent transmissions spaced to engage a group of said electrode holding and feeding means located in consecutive positions in their said supporting means, means for interchangeably supporting said mechanisms in any one of a pluralityof positions spaced to match the spacing of said electrode holding and feeding means in their said supporting means, a motor for each of said electrode holding and feeding means, and

means for mounting on said mechanism in driving engagement with the transmissions thereof a grouping of said motors required by the grouping of electrode holding and feeding means operated through said mechanisms.

5. A welding torch comprising a plurality of identical means for holding and feeding elec trodes, each of said holding and feeding means including a terminal block within which an electrode is clamped and through which arcing current is supplied thereto, means for interchangeably supporting said electrode holding and feeding means in a row along a line of welding in any one of a plurality of spaced positions greater in number than the number of said electrode holding and feeding means, means including a plurality of busses for supplying arcing current to said terminal blocks forming part of said electrode holding and feeding means, means for supporting said busses in a row in positions corresponding to the spaced positions along the line of welding in which said electrode holding and feeding means may be positioned by their said supporting means, a nozzle having electrode positions corresponding to the spaced positions in which said electrode holding and feeding means may be positioned by their said supporting means, and means for supplying gas to said nozzle about the arcing terminals of electrodes projecting therethrough and supported by said electrode holding and feeding means.

6. A welding torch comprising a plurality of row along the line of welding in any one of a plurality of spaced positions greater in number than said electrode holding and feeding means, means for independently adjusting said electrode holding and feeding means in said supporting means toward and away from the weld, a switch having an operating member extending lengthwise of said supportingmeans adjacent said.

spaced positions therein for said electrode holding and feeding means, and means associated with each of said electrode holding and feeding means for engaging said operating member and thereby operating said switch when any one of said electrode holding and feeding means has moved toward the weld to a predetermined position.

7. A gas-arc torch comprising a nozzle having a row of spaced chambers for electrodes extending through said nozzle, passageways individual to each of said chambers for supplying gas to said chambers and about the arcing terminals of electrodes extending therethrough, and adjusting means in each of said passageways for independently controlling the flow of gas to said chambers, said adjusting means being accessible from the side of said nozzle and being located toone side of the electrodes extending through said nozzle.

8. A nozzle for a gas-arc torch comprising an elongated support member of substantially T L cross-section having longitudinally spaced pairs of transverse electrode passageways in its flange portion and a longitudinal passageway for cooling fluid in its bar portion, said electrode passageways being located in rows in the flange portion of said support member with corresponding electrode passageways of each pair being arranged on opposite sides of the bar portion of said support member, two angular blocks of substantially the same length as said support member and having one side conforming in configuration and adapted to engage the angular surface between the bar and flange portions of said support member, one leg of each angular block'having spaced transverse electrode passageways extending therethrough and the other leg thereof having a longitudinally extending gas header and spaced transverse gas passageways extending therefrom to its surface adapted to engage the flange portion of said support member, said electrode and gas passageways being matched with the electrode passageways in the flange portion of said support member, a cover plate having pairs of identical means for holding and feeding electrodes, means for interchangeably supporting said electrode holding and feeding means in a transverse electrode passageways matching with the pairs of electrode passageways in the flange portion of said support member and having a cooling passage extending lengthwise thereof, means for assembling said support member, said angular blocks, and said cover plate with cor- .responding electrode passageways in register sageways being located in rows in the flangepore tion of said support member with corresponding electrode passageways of each pair being arranged on opposite sides of: the bar portion of said support member and said electrode passageways having offset portions adjacent the intersection of the flange and bar portions of said support member, two angular blocks of substan tially the same lengthas said support member and having one side conforming in configuration and adapted to engage the angular surface between the bar and flange portion of said support member, one leg of each angular block having spaced transverse electrode passageways extending therethrough and the other leg thereof having a longitudinally extending gas header and spaced transverse gas passageways extending therefrom to its surface adapted to engage. the flange portion of said support member, said electrode and gas passagewaysbeing matched respectively with the electrode passageways in the flange portion of said support member and the ofl'set portions of said electrode passageways, a cover plate having pairs of transverse electrode passageways matching with the pairs of electrode passageways in the flange portion of said support member and having a cooling passage extending lengthwise thereof, means for assembling said support member, said angular blocks, and said cover plate with corresponding electrode passageways in register with one another and with said gas passageways in said angular blocks in register with the offset portions of said electrode passageways in the flange portion of said support member, means for connecting the cooling fluid passageways in said support member and said cover plate to a source of cooling fluid, and means for supplying gas to each of the headers in said angular blocks.

10. A nozzle for a gas-arc torch comprising an elongated support member of substantially T cross-section having longitudinally spaced pairs of transverse electrode passageways in its flange portion and a longitudinal passageways for cooling fluid in its bar portion, said electrode passageways being located in rows in the flange portion of said support member with corresponding electrode passageways of each pair being arranged on opposite sides of the bar portion of said support member and said electrode passageways having oil'set portions adjacent the intersection of the flange and bar portions of said support member, two angular blocks of substantially the same length as said support member and having one side conforming in configuration and adapted to engage the angular surface between the bar and flange portion of said support member,

one leg of each angular block having spaced transverse electrode passageways extending therethrough and the other leg thereof having a longitudinally extending gas header and spaced transverse gas passageways extending therefrom to its surface adapted to engage the flange portion of said support member, said electrode and gas passageways being matched respectively with the electrode passageways in the flange portion of said support member and the offset portions of said electrode passageways, a valve in each of said gas passageways having its control member located to one side of the electrodes extending through said electrode passageways and being accessible from the side of said nozzle for purposes of adjustment, a cover plate having pairs of transverse electrode passageways matching with the pairs of electrode passageways in the flange portion of said support member and having a cooling passage extending lengthwise thereof, means for assembling said support member, said responding electrode eways in register with one another and with said gas passageways in said angular blocks in register with the offset portions of said electrode eways in the flange portion of said support member, means for connecting the cooling fluid passageways in said support member and said cover plate to a source of cooling fluid, and means for supplying gas to each of the headers in said angular blocks.

'11. A gas-arc welding torch comprising a plurality'of identical means for holding and feeding electrodes, each of said holding and feeding means including a terminal block within which an electrode is clamped and through which welding current is supplied-thereto, means for interchangeablysupporting said electrode holding and feeding means in two rows in a plurality of positions greater in number than the number of electrode holding and feeding means in said rows with an electrode holding and feeding means in one row being inclined to and paired with a electrode holding and feeding means in the other row so that electrodes in said pairs of electrode holding and feeding means converge into arcing relationship with one another, a switch, means associated with each of said electrode holding and feeding means in a row for operating said switch when any one of said electrode holding and feeding means insaid row has moved to a predetermined position, means including a plurality of busses for supplying arcing current to said terminal blocks, means for supporting said busses in two rows in positions corresponding to the spaced positions along the line of welding in which said electrode holding and feeding means may be positioned by their said supporting means, a plurality of identical mechanisms each of which alone or in side-by-side relationship has a plurality of independent transmissions spaced to engage a group of said electrode holding and feeding means located in the same row in consecutive positions in their said supporting means, means angular blocks, and said cover plate with corfor interchangeably supporting said mechanisms along either of said rows of electrode holding and feeding means in any one of a plurality of positions spaced to match the spacing of said electrode holding and feeding means in their said supporting means, a motor for each of said electrode holding and feeding means, means for mounting on said mechanisms in driving engagement with the transmissions thereof a group of said motors required by the grouping of said electrode and feeding means operated through said mechanisms, a nozzle having a longitudinal passageway for cooling fluid and aplurality of transverse chambers with offset portions spaced from their discharge openings, said chambers being located in said nozzle in positions corresponding to the spaced positions along the line of welding in which said electrode holding and feeding means may be positioned by their said supporting means and said chambers being constructed to enclose and direct gas about the arcing terminal portions of electrodes extending therethrough and supported by said electrode holding and feeding means, means for supplying gas to the oflset portions of said chambers in a manner such that the discharge openings for the gas are shielded from'spatter entering the discharge openings of said chambers, means for controlling the flow of gas into each of said chambers, and means for circulating a cooling fluid through said nozzle.

JAMES T. CA'I'LETI'.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. 7 Patent No. 2,282,051. May 19kg.

JAMES T. CATIETT.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first column, line 1 .l, 01811111}, for "mechanism" read --meehanisms--; line'h, claim 5, before welding insert gasarc-; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office- Signed and sealed this 16th day of June, A. D. 19h2.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF co ERECTION. 7 Patent No. 2,282,051. May 5, 191g.

' .mms T. cATm'r'r.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as followez Page 5, first column, line 14.1, claimh, for "mechanism" read --mechanisms line'h, claim 5, before welding insert gas-arc--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of June, A. n. 191;.2.

Henry Van Arsdale, ($681) I Acting Commissioner of Petente. 

